Many migrants already returning home

Thousands of migrants who came to London after the European Union's expansion have already returned home, the Evening Standard can reveal.

The reality of life in the capital has taken its toll on those who arrived after 1 May, with as many as eight in 10 giving up and going back.

Margaret Sztuka, general secretary of the Federation of Poles in Great Britain, said that 10,000-14,000 Poles arrived after the country joined the EU but 8,000 have returned already.

She said: "Many have found London really tough, especially those who don't speak English."

Speaking to those dealing with the migrants and to those forced to go home, we found:

Destitute migrants are being forced to sleep on London's night buses or at Victoria Coach Station until they can get home.

Some are returning within 24 hours once meagre funds run out.

Some are conned by "middlemen" before leaving.

Many angry at being told London would offer a better life.

The coming months are likely to see a further influx but the experiences of the first wave suggests they will not enjoy the riches they had hoped.

Dana Wysluck, manager of the Eurotol coach company, sees disillusioned Poles in her Victoria office every day. She said: "Many leave after three or four days but there have been some that have only stayed 24 hours. They thought it would be easy but without English they can't get jobs and they bring little money."

Before EU expansion, buses going to Poland would be virtually empty, now, with many more chancing a trip, return buses are "70 per cent full", said Ms Wysluck.

Two migrants back in Warsaw spoke of their painful experience.

Carpenter Marcin Koch, 27, arrived with his friend after paying a middleman ?150. They speak little English. He said: "We've heard that there would be plenty of work. We lost all of our money and now we have to tell this to our families."

After waiting for two weeks they heard nothing from the middleman and tried to find work on their own. A week later they were forced to leave their rented rooms when the money ran out and lived rough until they could find a bus home.

Marcin said: "One night we just went to sleep on the night bus because we didn't have anywhere. Then we spent four more days on Victoria Coach Station waiting for our bus to Poland."

Ms Sztuka said migrants were promised jobs but on arrival contacts simply weren't there. In other instances they were taken to the countryside and dumped and their savings - usually about ?400 - were

stolen. Andrzej Tutkaj, a federation committee member, added: "There was too much propaganda in Poland. Young Poles don't know how to look for work. That's why they are trying these middleman. Unfortunately, most of the middlemen are cheats."

Arrivals from the Czech Republic have also had problems. Capital Express, which runs three services a week to the Czech Republic, reported migrants were up about 15 per cent but services back are also filling up.

Construction industry job agencies say the second wave will be better equipped. Dermot McGinley, of McGinley Recruitment Services, said at least 10,000 Poles are heading for British building sites.

He said: "These guys are solid craftsmen. They are not over here to abuse the system."